Locking bonnet for valves



Dec. 30, 1952 T. F. LEE 7 2,623,380

LOCKING BONNET FOR VALVES Filed June 2, 1950 IN V EN TOR. THO/1A8 F- L E E Vie/QM ATTOEWEY Patented Dec. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING BONNET FOR VALVES Application June 2, 1950, Serial No. 165,681

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a locking bonnet for valves and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided a locking bonnet for valves which consists essentially of a cylindrical cover having a closed upper end and an open lower end and which is adapted to receive a valve structure therein. A pair of diametrically opposed slots extend vertically from the lower end for the reception therein of the pipes connected with the valve structure and pairs of diametrically opposed holes are formed in the lower sides of the cylindrical member for the selective reception of a locking pin which is adapted to pass beneath the valve structure when in operative position. One end of the locking pin is connected by a chain to an ear adjacent the upper end of the cylinder and a like ear upon the opposite side of the cylinder is connected by a similar chain to a padlock or the like whose hasp is adapted to be inserted in a transverse opening adjacent the free end of the locking pin.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and yet effective and efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth having simple means for the prevention of tampering with a valve structure.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a device of the character set forth, of a simple and effective locking pin forming a part of the invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Figure l is an elevational view, partly broken away, of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but taken at right angles thereto, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown therein a locking bonnet for valve structures comprising a vertically extending hollow cylindrical body it having a closed upper end II and an open lower end. A pair of dia- 2 metrically opposed vertically extending slots I2 is formed centrally in the lower end of the body and pairs of circular openings l3 and I4, likewise diametrically opposed, are formed in vertically spaced relation in the sides of the cylindrical body In adjacent the lower end thereof.

A pair of diametrically opposed ears [5 and iii are affixed to the sides of the body It adjacent the upper end thereof and a chain I1 interconnects the ear [6 with one end of a locking pin l8. A chain [9 interconnects the ear l5 with the hasp 20 of a padlock 2| and the locking pin 18 is provided with a transverse opening 22 adjacent the free end thereof.

In operation, it will be apparent that when it is desired to protect, for example, a valve structure 23 having an operating handle 24 and connecting pipes 25, that it is only necessary to first adjust the valve to its desired setting by means of the handle 24 after which the body [0 is locked over the valve structure in such manner that the slots i2 receive therein the connecting pipes 25 or the fittings 26 for such pipes after which the locking pin [8 may be inserted through either the openings I3 or the openings [4. Thereupon the hasp 20 of the padlock 2| may be inserted into the opening 22 and the padlock placed in closed or locked condition. In such condition, it will be apparent that unauthorized tampering with the valve structure and particularly with the handle 24 will be a practical impossibility thus effectively preventing sabotage, theft, unauthorized use and the like. It will also be apparent that the device is useful wherever valves are used as, for example, in fuel oil lines, airlines, steam lines, water lines and the like.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of V the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A locking bonnet for a valve structure including a body, a pair of diametrically opposed fittings for said body, and an operating handle at the upper end of said structure, said bonnet comprising a hollow cylinder having a closed upper end and an open lower end, said cylinder having a pair of vertical slots extending from the bot- REFERENCES CITED tom thereof in diametrically opposed relation, and The following references are of record in the further having a pair of openings in its lower file of this patent:

portion also in diametrically opposed relation and each spaced equidistantly from said slots, a lock- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS ing pin removably mounted in said openings, a N mber Name Date head for said pin, a pair of cars aiiixed to the 307,101 Cole Oct. 28, 1884 upper portion of said cylinder in diametrically 812,021 Dahl Feb. 6, 1906 opposed relation, a chain interconnecting one of 1,131,321 Campbell Mar, 16, 1915 said ears with said head, said pin having a trans- 10 1,541,801 Durning June 16, 1925 verse opening therethrough adjacent its free end, 1,762,371 Wilhelm June 10, 1930 a padlock, and a chain interconnecting said padlock at one of its ends and said other ear at its FOREIGN PATENTS other Number Country Date THOMAS FRANCIS LEE. 15 1,923 France Oct. 16, 1939 

